ROCHESTER ROMANCE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 287, 15 September 1933, Page 8

ROCHESTER ROMANCE

"SIX POOR TRAVELLERS." A 350-YEAR-OLD CHARITY. To-day, 350 years after its foundation, a charity still exists which gives hospitality every night to ".six poor travellers." Appropriately enough, it is at Rochester, with which the life and work of Charles Dickens are largely identified, that the charity exists. In the first of his Christmas stries, "The Seven Poor Travellers," the novelist tells of his visit to a house in the High 'Street of the ancient city. On the door of the house a tablet dated August 22, 1579, informed all and sundry that "Richard Watts, Esq., founded this charity for Six Poor Travellers, who, not being Rogues or Proctors, May receive gratis for One iSiight, J .edging, Entertainment and i''ourpenco each." When Dickens wrote his story he was the seventh traveller, and his signature may still be seen in the reception book. little is known, of Richard Watts except that he was a, very great benefactor to Rochester and that, though his munificence six poor men may to this day enjoy the hospitality in the mderniscd buoilding still known as "The Six Poor Travellers." Much of the original building remains including the men's bedrooms, each containing a bed, chair, fireplace and Bible, but much has been added.

Each man, for instance, may have a hot bath before enjoying his supper of half a pound of meat, a loaf of bread and a pint of cocoa in the comfortable dining loom, where the latest periodicals are also provided for him to read, 0000000 etain shrdlu shrdlu shrdluuu

Six pairs of slippers stand ready in a neat row, and it can be imagined how much this little attention is appreciated by footsore men who have probably been tramping the streets in search of work since early morning. The charity provides, for only six men, and the master of the Six Poor Travellers has an unenviable task when he has to select that number from 20 or 30 applicants, as is the case in the winter months. To .qualify for admission a man must show that, however, poor and needy he may be, he has made an effort to keep himself clean appearance. The" master also endeavours to have a complete change of guests each night, in order that as many as possible may enjoy the hospitality provided for by the will of Richard AVatts.

In the morning the six poor travellers are given another pint of cocoa, and with what they have saved from their meal of the previous .evening, are assured of a good breakfast before being sent on their way with fourpence in their pockets and in their hearts at least one happy memory of their sojourn at Rochester.